RHAPSODY IN BLOOM

EXQUISITE WEDDINGS MAGAZINE FALL 2013

Monarch Weddings is  so proud to see our Rhapsody in Bloom tabletop design in the Fall 2013 Issue of Exquisite Weddings Magazine.  It was wonderful to collaborate with Bethany of Splendid Sentiments Floral Design and Concepts Event Design on this vibrant, modern, whimsical meets a touch of rustic themed table top.

The design process started with a few of my favorite flowers, the Coral “Charm” Peony, Purple Phalaenopsis, and the blush Cafe Au Lait Dahlia. An unlikely combination of colors & florals. Then for the furniture pieces, I loved the chic modern lines and clean look of the white throne chair & side chairs from Concepts Event Design, but wanted a little more whimsy and earthiness, so used a juxtaposing element of a farm table (Concepts Event Design).   The vibrant and contrasting colors of the flowers  really popped against the clean white pieces.  Then for an additional touch of whimsy, I added in monarch butterflies. nestled in different areas and created full butterfly wing place-mats. Layering each place-mat with “faux” butterfly wings.   Then added a white Moroccan style frame  from Z Gallery for another layer of charger and a gold charger plate on top of that which looked butterfly wings up close. Polished off the place setting with a beautiful designed menu from J Grace. read more

TIME-LAPSE VIDEO OF INTIMATE LODGE AT TORREY PINES WEDDING.

Check out this cool time-lapse video courtesy of Darin Fong Photography of our setup of this intimate rustic, blush wedding at the Lodge at Torrey Pines for Nina and Dan this past August 9, 2013.

It’s always so fun to see these time-lapse videos on how it all comes together on the big day!

VENDOR LOVE:

WEDDING PLANNER: KELI CHRISTENSON, OF MONARCH WEDDINGS

PHOTOGRAPHY: DARIN FONG PHOTOGRAPHY

VIDEOGRAPHY: DARIN FONG PHOTOGRAPHY

FLORIST:  SPLENDID SENTIMENTS FLORAL DESIGN read more

Love this photo of Sarah and Jon at Hotel Del Beach after the ceremony, the Bubble Guy of Coronado is creating these awesome large bubbles against the sunset sky, which made for these awesome whimsical images!

SARAH & JON

CEREMONY: CHRIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH (CORONADO)

RECEPTION: ADMIRAL KIDD CLUB

Sarah and Jon’s wedding has a special place in my heart… as Jon has been a friend of mine since high-school and Sarah has become a good friend of mine over the last several years of them being together. As you can imagine, I was so honored when Sarah came to me and asked me to me her wedding planner.  When I met with Sarah and her Mom, Char, we had such a great time brainstorming on fun ideas to incorporate for the Fall wedding with gray, orange and red themed colors. Sarah loves touches of bling so of course we had to bring in those elements as well.  The themed candy station & props for the photo booth were both such fun highlights from the wedding!  It was really exciting to see it all of the wedding planning come to life and to see such big smiles on all my friends faces!!!  This was one of the funnest weddings I had ever had the pleasure of coordinating or being a part of, as you will see from the photos below.  The Grand Entrance photos with the bridal party using props from the photo booth just crack me up! read more

MANDY & JAMIE ~ LOVE AT FIRST BLUSH PART 2

{RECEPTION DETAILS & THE CELEBRATION}

I’m excited to share Part 2 of Mandy & Jamie’s stunning blush French vintage wedding at beautiful Parisian designed Westgate Hotel in downtown San Diego.  We will showcase the delicate and beautiful details and of course, the wonderful wedding celebration.

WANT MORE OF THIS STUNNING FRENCH VINTAGE WEDDING… CHECK OUT MANDY & JAMIE’S  WEDDING VIDEO CREATED BY SIDE BY SIDE CINEMA

THIS WEDDING WAS FEATURED IN CEREMONY MAGAZINE:

VENDOR LOVE:

WEDDING PLANNER: KELI CHRISTENSON, OWNER OF MONARCH WEDDINGS read more

This is one of my favorite photos from this stunning french vintage wedding at the Westgate Hotel.

MANDY & JAMIE ~ LOVE AT FIRST BLUSH PART 1

{PRE-CEREMONY & CEREMONY}

I was beyond thrilled when Mandy reached out to me and asked me (Monarch Weddings) to be her wedding coordinator.  She is not only absolutely stunning, she has the sweetest personality and such a warm kind spirit.  Jamie (Groom) is equally as handsome as she is pretty and too was a total sweetheart.  If you spend any amount of time with these two sweet lovebirds, you get the sense that they are kindred spirits from another time or place, soul mates that compliment one another on every level.

When we met and started talking about her design aesthetics, she shared with me that she was inspired by the movie a “Midnight in Paris” and the scenes from the 1920’s in Paris, so it seemed a natural fit for her to select the beautiful Parisian designed Westgate Hotel in downtown San Diego.  The stunning Versailles Ballroom with it’s gold gilded walls and opulent crystal chandeliers set the stage and was the perfect backdrop for her design theme. Rich luxurious textiles and patterns in soft romantic warm colors complimented her choice of blush, ivory and gold color pallet.   She selected the extremely talented San Diego floral designer Karen Tran to create the beautiful floral masterpieces.  The Versailles ballroom was the site for the glamorous ceremony and reception.  It was a unique setup in-which we had the  couple getting married on a white circular custom dancefloor by Platinum Pro that displayed a custom filigree monogram logo design by J Grace Luxury Event Stationery. The guests were seated around the danceflloor all facing the center of the dancefloor where the couple were standing –  there was an awesome views from every seat in the ballroom.  After the ceremony, the guests were invited to join the cocktail reception in the Westgate Foyer while we worked diligently to flip the room for the reception. read more

US GRANT BRIDAL SHOW “SWOON4” – DESIGNED WHIMSIQUE’S BOOTH –  “WHIMSICAL WINTER WONDERLAND”

BOOTH DESIGN/ COORDINATION / CHINA: MONARCH WEDDINGS – KELI CHRISTENSON

FLORAL DESIGN/DECOR: BETHANY’S DESIGNS AT SPLENDID SENTIMENTS

PAPER ELEMENTS: WHIMSIQUE INVITATION & STATIONERY

RENTALS / LIGHTING / BACKDROP: CONCEPTS EVENT DESIGN

LINENS: LA TAVOLA

PHOTOGRAPHY: TIM OTTO PHOTOGRAPHY

I had such a great time this past weekend at the US Grant Bridal Show – Swoon4 held at the US Grant Hotel downtown San Diego.  It was wonderful to see so many amazing and very talented vendors and peers.  I also enjoyed the yummy food samples, champagne and all the beautiful inspiration. read more